Rotary sprinkler



prim 39,. 1935.

E. G; M'uNz ROTARY SPRINKLER Fil ed Dec; 21, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 1'2772 erG/Zcay ATTORNEY-S April! 3, 1935.

E. e. MUNZ ROTARY SPRINKLER Filed Dec 21', 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR [dwarf/fay ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 30, 1935 UNETE 'il' N QFFICE 13 Claims.

This invention relates generally to irrigating sprinklers and refers more particularly to devices of this character having a rotary distributing head communicating with a source of water under pressure.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide means operable by the reaction of the water discharged into the distributing headfor rotating the latter at a relatively slow rate of speed irrespective of the velocity of the water or. pressure at which the same is discharged into the head.

The foregoing is accomplished herein by providing means for discharging Water under pressure into the distributing head in the form of an impeller mounted Within the head for rotation relative thereto and fashioned to be rotated by the reaction of the water therein as it is dis charged thereby into the head. As previously stated, the head is rotated by the impeller at a reduced speed irrespective of the pressure of the water issuing from the latter and to this end means is provided on the distributing head in the path of the impeller for periodically receiving power impulses from the latter during rotation of the same to intermittently rotate the head.

Another advantageous feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a diiiuser within the head for immediately intercepting the water as it is discharged from the impeller to prevent the water issuing therefrom to set up a whirling action in the head. Such action would have a tendency to counteract the rotative effort exerted on the impeller by the reaction of the Water as it is discharged thereby.

A further object of the present invention consists in the provision of a diffuser for the purpose specified in the preceding paragraph so designed as to not impair or obstruct the flow of the water through the nozzle ports in the head or appreciably reduce the pressure of the water at the ports.

A. further advantageous feature of the present invention consists in the provision of a sprinkler of the type previously set forth having an impoller and a water distributing head provided with cooperating engaging impact portions for the purpose specified above wherein one of the impact portions is formed of a non-metallic material so as to provide for noiseless operation of the sprinkler.

A still further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a non-metallic impact member secured in position in such a manner as to permit the same to be readily adjusted to compensate for wear or expediently removed and replaced in the event the same becomes unfit for use.

In addition to the foregoing, the present invention contemplates the provision of a sprinkler possessing the above advantageous features which is extremely simple in construction and capable of being inexpensively manufactured, assembled and installed.

The foregoing as well as other objects will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a sprinkling device constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a View similar to Figure 1 showing the distributing head or nozzle of the device in its inoperative position;

Figure 3 is a, fragmentary sectional View similar to Figure 2 illustrating the manner in which the distributing head is periodically rotated by the impeller;

Figures 4, and 6 are sectional views taken substantially on the lines 4-4, 55 and 6-6 of Figure 2;

Figure '7 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 'i'-'l of Figure 3.

Although the present invention may be eniployed in connection with various types of sprinkling devices, nevertheless, it finds particular utility when utilized in association with a sprinkling device of the pop-up type forming a permanent part of an irrigating system. As shown particularly in Figures 1 and Z, the sprinkler comprises a housing It adapted to be embedded within the ground flush with the top surface of the latter and having a rotary distributing head H therein movable by the action of the water from the inoperative position thereof shown in Figure 2 flush with the top surface of the housing to the operative position shown in Figure 1 for irrigating the surrounding area.

In detail, the housing H1 is provided with a tubular portion 12 of sufiicient diameter to freely receive the distributing head II and open at the upper end thereof to provide for extending the head therebeyond as shown in Figure 1. Extending laterally outwardly from the upper marginal edge of the tubular portion 52 is an annular flange l3 adapted to be embedded within the ground flush with the top surface thereof and recessed as at M to provide an annular shoulder I5 surrounding the opening through the upper end of the housing and engageable with the marginal edges of the distributing head when the latter is in the position shown in Figure 2 for supporting the head with the top surface thereof flush with the corresponding surface of the flange. The tubular portion i2 is further provided with a bottom wall i6 having a reduced centrally arranged opening I? therethrough establishing communication between the portion i2 and a tubular downwardly extending section 28 preferably formed integral with the portion 52. The section i3 communicates at the lower end thereof with a suitable service condiut i9 forming a part of the irrigating system and suitably connected to a source of water under pressure.

Referring now to the particular construction of the distributing head briefly set forth above, it will be noted from Figures 1 and '2 that the head i i is in the form of a casing provided with an annular side wall 26 having an external diameter so determined with respect to the internal diameter of the tubular portion l2 as to be free from frictional engagement therewith during relative axial or rotative movements of the head. The upper end of the annular wall 29 is threaded as at 2! for detachably receiving a nozzle section 22 having an upwardly and inwardly inclined annular wall provided with a substantially flat top 23 having the marginal edges 24 thereof extending laterally beyond the annular wall ii so as to engage the annular shoulder i5 on the housing when the distributing head is in its inoperative position shown in Figure 2. The inner surface of the nozzle section 22 is semispherical in contour so as to provide for efficiently discharging water from the interior of the head through the nozzle ports 25 formed in the inclined wall aforesaid at circumferentially spaced points.

The distributing head is further provided with a bottom wall 253 formed integral with the annular side wall i i and having a restricted centrally arranged aperture 2? therethrough for freely receiving the upper end portion of the tubular stem 28 and the latter having the lower end portion slidably mounted within the reduced opening i? in the bottom wall l6 of the housing. The upper end of the stem 28 projects a substantial distance into the distributing head and terminates in a reduced threaded nipple 30 having a transverse screw driver slot 3i therein for reasons to be presently described. The extreme lower end of the stem 28 is threaded for detachably receiving an enlargement 32 in the form of a nut having an external dimension substantially smaller than the internal diameter of the tubular section is so as to provide a space between the side walls of the latter and nut.

With the construction as thus far described and assuming that the distributing head is in its inoperative position shown in Figure 2 and that water under pressure is discharged into the section i8 through the supply pipe i9, it will be noted that the reaction of the water flowing against the bottom surface of the nut and through the tubular stern against the closed upper end of the latter will cause the stem to move upwardly relative to the distributing head. Movement of the stem upwardly relative to the distributing head engages the associated parts of the stem with the nozzle section 22 of the head effecting upward movement of the latter as a unit with the stem. Movement of the distributing head relative to the stem to its extreme operative position shown in Figure l is accomplished by the pressure of the water reacting on the top Wall of the head and also by the pressure exerted by the water escaping past the enlargement 32 through the opening il against the lower wall 26 of the distributing head. The arrangement is such that when upward movement of the stem is arrested by engagement of the enlargement 32 with the annular shoulder 3 surrounding the lower end of the opening ii, the distributing head will continue to move upwardly relative to the stem until the lower wall 25 of the head engages a bearing 35 on the stem. The bearing 35 is formed integral with and extends laterally outwardly from the stem within the head for engagement with the lower portions of the wall 26 thereof surrounding the opening 27. As will be observed from Figure 1, the enlargement 32, in addition to restricting upward movement of the stem relative to the housing, further functions to form a seal for preventing the escape of water under pressure into the tubular portion i2 of the housing from the section i8 and thereby compels all of the water dischargedinto the tubular section E8 to flow-upwardly through the stem.

The water distributing head H, in addition to being capable of axial movement relative to the housing it) as previously stated, is also capable of rotation about the axis of the stem 28 when the same is in its operative position shown in Figure 1 so as to irrigate the area surrounding the housing. As previously stated, it is one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide means within the distributing head operable by the reaction of the water discharged into the head for rotating the latter at a relatively slow rate of speed irrespective of the quantity of the water or pressure at which the same is discharged into the head. The aforesaid means comprises an impeller or rotor 42! located within the head 20 and journaled upon the upper end of the stem 28' eyond the bearing 35 for rotation and limited axial movement relative to the stem. The rotor is preferably formed of brass or similar metal and the portion of the stem upon which the same is journaled is preferably chrome plated so as to provide a wear resisting bearing. The arrangement is such that any wear caused by the relative rotating parts is imparted to the rotor rather than the stem since the former may be more readily and inexpensively replaced.

As shown particularly in Figure 1, the rotor is provided with an internal annular groove M intermediate the ends thereof communicating with the interior of the stem 28through a plurality of circumferentially spaced laterally directed ports $2 in the stem 28 adjacent the closed upper wall of the latter. The arrangement is such that the water under pressure flowing upwardly through the stem is directed by the upper wall of the stem laterally outwardly into the annular groove ii in the rotor. The annular groove 41 in turn communicates with the interior of the head so as to discharge the water under pressure into the head. As shown in Figure 6, the groove 4| communicates at diametrically opposite sides thereof with a pair of recesses 43 extending outwardly from the groove at diametrically opposite sides thereof toward the periphery of the rotor and communicating at the outer ends thereof with a pair of upwardly extending reduced passages 44. The passages M are inclined in opposite directions and discharge the water tangentially from the rotor into the distributing head. The arrangement is such that the reaction of the water on the rotor issuing from the passages 44 causes the rotor to revolve around the axis of the stem at a relatively high rate of speed depending upon the velocity or pressure head of the water flowing through the system. I

. Rotation of the water distributing head directly by the reaction of the water under pressure is objectionable since such an arrangement effects a too rapid change in location of the discharge ports 25 and materially reduces the area irrigated by the sprinkler. Accordingly, I have provided means for rotating the distributing head from the rotor at a reduced speed irrespective of the velocity or pressure head of the water so as to provide for. gradually changing the position of the discharge ports in thedistributing head. The foregoing results are secured herein by providing cooperating engaging impact members on the rotor and distributing head. As shown particularly in Figures 3 and '7, the bottom wall 260:" the rotor H is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed impact members A5 in the form of projections extending upwardly from the bottom wall 26 and inclined in the direction of rotation of the rotor 50. The lower surfaceof the rotor All, on the other hand, is formed with a pair of diametrically opposed circular recesses 56 extending transverse to the axis of rotation of the rotor and adapted to receive apair of non-metallic impact members ll. The impact members 41 are in the form of circular pins preferably formed of a compressible material such as rubber and are adapted to be readily inserted into or removed from the recesses 45. In this connection, it is to be noted that the recesses 45 have circumferential boundaries extending slightly greater than [89 so as to normally maintain the inserts in assembled relation therewith and at the same time to permit the pins to project below the bottom surface of the impeller a sufficient distance to engage the projections or impact members on the head. It will further be apparent that the recesses open out of the periphery of the rotor with the result that the pins t? may be readily removed from the recesses in the event it is desired to either replace the same or to rotatably adjust the pins to project different portions of the periphery thereof below the bottom surface of the rotor for engagement with the projections 45. Thus, from the foregoing it will be observed that provision is made for both adjusting the pins within the recesses to compensate for wear of the latter and replacing the pins in the event the same. be.- come unfit for use.

By reason of the foregoing construction, it will further be apparent that upon each revolution of the rotor it, the same will impart a rotative impulse to the water distributing head at diametrically opposite points thereof through the cooperating engaging impact portions 45 and 45 on the head and rotor, respectively. In detail, rota-- tion of the rotor ea about the axis of the stem causes the pins Q? to periodically engage the inclined wall portions of the projections 45 and thereby intermittently rotate the distributing head. By providing the inclined wall on the projections 45 in the manner hereinbefore described, rapid changing in positions of the discharge nozzles in the head will be prevented since rotation of the latter is necessarily eifected gradually. As pointed out above, the water issuing from the rotor is discharged tangentially out of the passages 44 in opposite directions so as to provide tor rotating the rotor by the reaction of the water issuing therefrom. Discharging the water from the rotor in the manner specified-sets up a whirling motion of the water in the head which tends to counteract or resist rotation of the head by the reaction of the water discharged thereby. This tendency to counteract rotation of the head is prevented herein without obstructing the flow of water into the nozzle section or dome of the head 24 by means of a diffuser. 5i! detachably secured to the stem in superposed relation to the rotor. In detail, the diffuser 5G is provided with a centrally arranged tapped opening adapted to be threaded upon the reduced end of the stem as shown in Figure 1. In this connection, it is to: be noted that in assembling the diifuser upon the stem, a screw driver may be inserted within the slot 3| in the threaded end 39 of the stem to 'pre vent movement of the stem relative to the diifuser and thereby permit the latter to be securely and non-rotatably fastened to the stem. In order to provide for accurately positioning the difluser upon the stem so that the former will afiord the axial displacement or" the rotor. necessary to permit the pins 41 to ride over the projections/i5, the diffuser is counterbored from the under side thereof to provide an internal shoulder 39' for engaging the shoulder 3| formed by the reduced end 30 of the stem.

Referring now to the particular construction of the diffuser, it is to be noted that the same is formed of one piece and is provided with a plurality of radially outwardly extending vertical vanes or webs 5| forming a series of circumferentially spaced compartments 52. The construction is so designed that the compartments 52 alternately communicate with the discharge ends of the passages M in the rotor so as to intercept the water immediately as it is discharged from the tangentially arranged passages 44 and thereby prevent the water from retarding rotation of the head by setting up a whirling motion in the distributing head. Interception of the water issuing from the. rotor as previously stated serves a dual purpose in preventing whirling of the water in the distributing head since in so doing it not only prevents the water from counteracting the intermittent rotation of the head, but also compels the water to how upwardly directly into the dome of the head and out of the nozzle ports with the consequent result of more efiicient nozzle action. In order to prevent any possibility of the diffuser obstructing the discharge ends of the passages 44in the rotor, the portions of the upper surface of the rotor surrounding the aforesaid ends of the passages are relieved as at 53 so as to prevent the lower edge portions of the webs or vanes 5| in the diifuser from sealing the passages when the rotor is in its uppermost position relative to the diffuser.

What I claim as my invention is:

1; In a sprinkler, a rotatable water distributing head, a rotor mounted within the head for rotation relative thereto, means for discharging water under pressure through the rotor into said head including a passage in the rotor having the discharge end arranged to cause rotation of the rotor by the reaction of the water thereon in issuing therefrom, means on said head positioned to periodically receive an impact from the rotor for intermittently rotating the head, and means intercepting the water immediately as it issues from the rotor for preventing the water from setting up a whirling motion in the head tending to counteract rotation of the head.

2. In a sprinkler, a rotatable water distributing head having nozzle parts adjacent the upper end :thereof, a rotor mounted within the head for rotation relative thereto, means for discharging water under pressure through the rotor into said head including a passage in the rotor having the discharge end opening .out of the top wall of the rotor at an angle to said wall whereby the water in issuing from the rotor reacts on the .latter causing rotation of the same relative to the head, means for rotating the head from the rotor at a relatively slow rate of speed, and means within the head above the rotor for intercepting the water issuing therefrom and compelling the water to flow directly through said nozzle parts.

3. Ina sprinkler, a rotatable water distributing head, .a rotor mounted within the head for rotation relative thereto, means for discharging water under pressure through the rotor into the head including a passage in the rotor having the discharge end thereof arranged to cause rotation of the rotor by the reaction of the water thereon in issuing therefrom,means for rotating the head from the rotor at a relatively slow rate of speed, and a difiuser positioned within the head for intercepting the water discharging from the rotor and directing the water away from the rotor.

4. In a sprinkler, a hollow stem, a water distributing head rotatably mounted on said stem, a rotor mounted upon the stem within the head for rotation relative to the latter and having a passage therethrough establishing communication between the stem and interior of the head, the discharge end ,of said passage being inclined at an angle whereby water issuing therefrom into the head reacts on the rotor causing the latter to rotate about the axis of the stem relative to thehead, and means for periodically rotating said head from the rotor at a relatively slow rate of speed.

5. In a sprinkler, a hollow stem, a water distributing head rotatably mounted on said stem, a rotor mounted upon'the stem within the head for rotation relative to thelatter and having a passage therethrough establishing communication between the'stem and interior of the head, the discharge end of said passage being inclined at an angle whereby water issuing therefrom into the head reacts on the rotor causing the latter to rotate about the axis of the stem relative to the head, a diffuser fixed to the stem above the rotor and fashioned to prevent the water discharged into the head by the rotor from setting up a whirling motion in the head, and means for rotating the head from the rotor at a relatively slower rate of speed.

6. In a sprinkler, a rotatable water distributing head having a portion projecting from one surface thereof forming an impact member, means for discharging water under pressure into said head, a rotor mounted within said head for rotation relative thereto by the water under pressure discharging into said head, and a nonmetallic insert in the form of a roller removably secured within said rotor and having a portion projecting beyond one face of the rotor for periodically engaging the impact member on the head to intermittently rotate the latter.

7. In a sprinkler, a rotatable water distributing head, a rotor mounted within the head for rotation relative thereto, means for feeding water into said rotor, means for discharging water from said rotor within said headin a direction to cause rotation ofsaid :rotor in the opposite direction and means for intermittently rotating said dis tributing head .from said rotor.

8. Ina sprinkler, a rotatable water distributing member, a second rotatable member mounted within the first rotatable member, the first rotatable member constituting a water distributing head and the second rotatable member constituting a rotor, means for feeding'water into said rotor to .cause rotation thereof, one .of said rotatable members being provided with a cylindrical recess, a .cylindrical member of yieldable material inserted within said recess to have a portion of its cylindrical surface projecting .beyond the face of the rotatable member containing said recess-said cylindrical member being rotatably adjustable in said recess to expose a different portion of its surface and an impact member on the other of said rotatable members for periodically engaging said projecting portion to intermittently rotate said distributing head in the same direction as said rotor.

9. A spraying device comprising a tube providing a pressure fluid .passage, a driving head mounted for rotation on said tube, opposed nozzle means on said driving head for imparting rotation thereto in response to the discharge of pressure fluid therefrom, a spray head adapted to receive pressure fluid from said nozzle means and mounted for rotation on said tube, and cooperative means on said heads respectively and engageable recurrently for positively driving the spray head.

10. A spraying device comprising a rotatable driving head, means for feeding fluid into said driving head, discharge means on said driving head arranged to cause rotation of said driving head in response to the discharge of pressure fluid therefrom, a rotatable spray head adapted to receive pressure fluid from said discharge means and cooperative means on said heads respectively and engageable recurrently for positively driving the spray head.

11. In a sprinkler, a rotatable water distributing member, a second rotatable member mounted within the first rotatable member, the first rotatable member constituting a water distributing head and the second rotatable member constituting a rotor, means for feeding water into said rotor to cause rotation thereof, one of said rotatable members being provided with a recess, a member having a non-metallic yieldable surface inserted within said recess and retained thereby, said member having a portion thereof projecting beyond one face of the same, and an impact member on the other of said rotatable members for periodically engaging said projecting portion to intermittently rotate said distributing head in the same direction as said rotor.

12. In a sprinkler, a rotatable water distributing member, a rotatable member within the same, means for feeding water under pressure into said second mentioned member, means in said second member for discharging a stream therefrom in a direction to cause rotation of said second member in the opposite direction, a groove in one of said rotatable members, an abutment on the other of said rotatable members and a rubber insert in said groove projecting therefrom to strike said abutment during the rotation of the second mentioned rotatable member andthereby drive said water distributing member intermittently in the same direction as the second member.

13. In asprinkler, a rotatable water distributing head having a portion projecting from one surface thereof forming an impact member, means for discharging Water under pressure into said head, a rotor mounted within said head for rotation relative thereto. by the water under pressure discharging into said head, and a member having a non-metallic yieldable surface projecting beyond the rotor for periodically engaging said impact member, said rotor being provided with a recess for receiving said member and removably securing the same.

ELMER G. MUNZ. 

